Matthew J. Ruff is a Criminal Defense Attorney with nearly 20 years experience defending clients charged with all types of criminal offenses. Mr. Ruff knows that being arrested and accused of a criminal offense can, and most often is, the most traumatic and frightening experience a person can go through in their entire life. Over the course of his long and successful career he has spared clients from what they believed would be certain incarceration and a permanent scar on their record. He endeavors to provide the information and advice essential to understand what lies ahead in the criminal justice system in California and can help to avoid the potential life long consequences resulting from an arrest, criminal prosecution or police investigation. View Matthew Ruff"s client reviews on AVVO

Recent Case Results

Mr. Ruff was engaged to defend a oilfield worker arrested after his car was crashed into a rock wall. He was detained following a 911 call by residents and his breath test showed a BAC of well above .20, he also had prior convictions which escalated his exposure exponentially. Matt sought and obtained a DMV hearing where he introduced evidence showing doubt regarding his guilt. Result: the state agreed with Mr. Ruff and set aside the suspension, license returned February 21, 2015!

Matthew was hired by a client following an arrest in Palos Verdes Estates for DUI. The facts of the case were very interesting. The police received a 911 call stating that a vehicle was being driven recklessly up Crenshaw, running red lights,etc. and the caller gave them a license plate number.The police tracked the license plate to a home in Palos Verdes and proceeded to investigate the case as a drunk driving offense. They say the vehicle in the driveway upon their arrival, they attempted to contact the occupants by calling the home number and knocking on an outside gate. Not getting a resonse, they entered through the gate into the front yard and saw the accused on a couch inside, they contacted her and asked her to step outside. Once she did they obtained admissions from her about the driving, she failed FST tests and was arrested for VC23152. She was bookeed and gave a breath test of .14%. Matt filed a motion attacking the arrest on the grounds the arrest violated the 4th Amendment as an unlawful search without a warrant. After a full fledged hearing in the Torrance Court, the Judge agreed and threw out the charges on October 20, 2014.

Matthew was retained by a client arrested in Gardena for DUI and driving with a blood alcohol level of .08 or more when he was stopped for not wearing a seat belt and, according to the cop, failed the field sobriety tests. He worked for the US Post Office for 20 plus years and was scared to lose his job because of a conviction for those charges. Matt understood what was at stake but also was facing a bit of a challenge because the blood test came back .12%. Not deterred, he fought the case hard and was ultimately able to get a reduction to a reckless driving in the Torrance Court thereby saving the client from having to install an ignition interlock on his vehicles and the consequences to his employment.

A 20 year old hired Matthew after he was stopped and cited for underage DUI in northern Los Angeles County by the CHP. The client was scared of losing his license, having a conviction for alcohol on his DMV record and having to suffer from the stigma of a DUI forever. Matthew took the bull by the horns and set the case for trial. At Court he convinced the judge that the breath tests of .07 and .06 were unreliable and the judge agreed, the client was acquitted in Court of all charges.

Many folks come to Matthew after being accused of driving under the influence, these cases are often complex from the standpoint of dealing with the chemical test issues, constitutional principles and regulatory requirements. In one very recent case he was hired by a young man arrested by the CHP after his car was involved in a solo vehicle accident on Interstate 5, he was given a blood test that showed his BAC to be .14 and he was facing a loss of his driver's license at the DMV. From a defense perspective the facts presented a bit of a challenge due to the elevated alcohol levels, undeterred, the attorney presented evidence by way of a forensic toxicologist, that the client's ethanol concentration changed during the course of the investigation and the true level at the time of driving was not able to be determined. In the end the hearing officer agreed and set aside the suspension, In court we were able to work out a deal for a "unsafe lane change" and all DUI charges were dropped.

When you or someone close to you has been arrested for a crime Attorney Matthew Ruff can help answer your questions and concerns. Will I be going to Jail? Will I lose my Job? Will I lose my drivers license?, among many others. Mr. Ruff is available to speak with you directly about your case, you will not be transferred to a paralegal or "case manager". For many individuals facing probation violations, or bench warrants for failing to appear in Court, Mr. Ruff can act as your advocate and appear for you, thereby avoiding the possibility of a remand or jail. If you would like to consult with a local, experienced, criminal defense lawyer in Los Angeles, Torrance, and Kern County Courts call toll free
1-877-213-4453.

As a Local Criminal Defense Attorney in both Los Angeles and Kern County, Matthew Ruff has the advantage of knowing the particular Judge who will be hearing your case, as well as the specific prosecutor. His clients also have the benefit of direct personal contact, in that Mr. Ruff is available to speak to directly, the client is not forced to go through a secretary, or paralegal each time he or she has questions about the case. In addition, Mr. Ruff gives each of his clients his cell phone number so that he can be reached in cases of emergency. It is this PERSONAL ATTENTION and caring that sets him apart from other lawyers in the area of criminal law.

How do you choose a Criminal Defense Attorney to represent you?
First, you should look at the lawyers experience in defending people accused of violating the law. Many attorneys claim to be capable of representing people being prosecuted by the government, however, when asked to describe specific cases in which they have obtained victories for the client, they speak of their jobs as prosecutors or try to change the subject. Matthew Ruff has nearly a decade and a half actually defending ordinary citizens against the incredible power of the state of California. Although he spent time working within the office of the District Attorney, he used this experience wisely to learn the inner workings and later applied this inside knowledge to defend his clients as a Criminal Defense Attorney in Los Angeles and Kern County. For example, Matthew recently represented a DUI client in the Torrance Court. She had a breath test result of .12 and was stopped for driving without lights in Hermosa Beach. The attorney used his years of experience to negotiate a reduced charge of wet reckless which effectively meant that the client did not have to have an ignition interlock installed in all of her cars.

Criminal Defense Lawyer, Matthew J. Ruff has personally defended thousands of cases!
Unlike many other lawyers, attorney Ruff practices criminal law exclusively. He is in Court virtually every day securing the release and negotiating favorable dispositions for his clients. For him the law is not merely a vocation, it is his passion. He understands that a criminal allegation is perhaps the most stressful event a person can go through whether it be a simple petty theft, underage 21 DUI, domestic violence or accusations of rape and sexual offenses, assault or even murder. Frankly, what is most important is what his thousands of satisfied clients say about his work and he takes great pride in the fact that most of his cases come from referrals from clients he has represented.

Someone told me to wait until I go to Court to get a Lawyer, is this good advice?
We have all heard the expression a ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, the same applies to the area of criminal investigations and prosecution. Having a criminal defense lawyer in Los Angeles or Kern County available, up to speed on the facts and particulars of your individual legal problem gives you a distinct leg up and advantage in acquiring the most advantageous outcome. Let's face it, burying your head in the sand and hoping your problem goes away is not an effective way to deal with any trouble, call an attorney who has gone head to head with the District Attorneys office in all major Courts from Los Angeles to Bakersfield, your future is too important to risk on chance.

I was arrested for a DUI in Los Angeles County, do I need a Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney to assist me in the process of going to Court and protecting my license?
While there is no absolute requirement that a lawyer be retained to represent an accused, not having a private attorney can cost you big time. First, we can go to Court without you having to travel back to California. Second, we have consistently been able to get charges dropped for those visiting the state while on vacation. Third, we can take steps to immediately save your home state drivers license from suspension following a drunk driving incident. Fourth, we know the local D.A. and Judges and can be a tremendous asset in the process of avoiding jail and the long term consequences of a criminal conviction.

Can Mr. Ruff help my child with a Juvenile Case or Under 21 Criminal Charge?
Yes, in addition to defending adults, the lawyer has an impressive track record in Juvenile Court as well. With dismissals for such serious offenses as robbery, theft, vandalism, minor in possession of alcohol, DUI, zero tolerance DMV license actions, gang arrests, sexual molestation and assault just to name a few. Matthew can help to avoid a criminal record and increased insurance costs for all juvenile cases in Los Angeles, Orange and Kern Counties. The amazing results that our law firm has achieved are too numerous to list, however a short list of the 2010 cases include: Underage DUI Dismissed in Los Angeles Superior Court , Robbery Charges Dropped in Inglewood Juvenile Court, Refusal to submit to breath test suspension at DMV set aside in El Segundo, Third time drunk driving charges dropped in Santa Clarita, Drug Possession charges dismissed for minor in criminal Court in Torrance/Palos Verdes, Hit and Run charges dropped in Long Beach among the many other fantastic case results....

Most Recent Case Results

Torrance DUI Attorney Wins APS DMV Hearing For Client With .12 BAC

Matthew was retained by a client with a security clearance who was arrested in Gardena CA for driving under the influence of alcohol. He was stopped by the police for "tinted windows" and was ran through the paces of field sobriety tests and other questioning before being taken into custody for DWI. When he came to see Matt he was fraught with worry about the consequences this would have on his future. The lawyer sought a hearing to reverse the drivers license suspension and was able to have his license returned due to an illegal stop by the police in early 2014.

Torrance Criminal Attorney, Matthew Ruff was hired by the family of a young man accused of attempted murder with gang allegations out of the Inglewood Court. The police alleged that the defendant was the driver of a car involved in a drive-by shooting in a suburban Los Angeles neighborhood. The alleged victim was walking outside his house when a person wearing a hoodie approached him and fired several shots, wounding him and sending him to the hospital. The suspect was arrested hours later at his apartment and a gun was found nearby. While in custody the defendant made dozens of phone calls and he was also charged with attempting to intimidate and dissuade the victim, again with gang enhancements.
The client was facing two life terms in prison. Matthew got the gang charges dismissed at the preliminary hearing, on July 10, 2013 he negotiated a deal that resulted in all original charges being dropped and the client spending less than a year in jail.

Matthew was retained by a young man that was facing the loss of his job as an oilfield worker for a major Corporation due to an arrest for a DUI. The accused was observed driving a motor vehicle without his headlights on, a violation of the California Vehicle Code. The CHP officer detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage, bloodshot and watery eyes and slurred speech. He performed unsatisfactorily on Field Sobriety Tests and the PAS test indicated intoxication. Based on these criteria, the client was arrested for VC23152, AKA DWI. At the station the subject submitted to and completed a chemical test of his breath with the results of .15% B.A.C. However, Matthew discovered an impropriety in the affidavit the arresting officer was supposed to sign and submit. The hearing officer agreed that the error was substantial and SET ASIDE the license suspension on October 21, 2013.

Mr. Ruff was retained by a young lady who was detained inside a retail store. She was accused of stealing several items and was held in a security room until the police arrived. She was then arrested and booked for petty theft and given a Court date in Torrance. She felt the incident was unjust and told Matthew that she would not be willing to plead guilty or "take a deal". Matthew respected that decision and pressed on with various legal motions in order to get all charges dropped.

Late last year Matthew was hired by a client's mother. The daughter was facing multiple counts of possession of drugs for sale in Manhattan Beach. The client was only 18 and a conviction for these charge would mean a certain lifelong stigma as a convicted felon. The client had been to the Public Defender who was unable to resolve the case. The attorney met with the D.A.handling the case and negotiated a dismissal of all charges upon completion of a drug education class.

Matthew was hired by a student in Torrance regarding a felony arrest for possession of cocaine. The client was scared that the criminal case would ruin his dream to graduate and become a doctor. The attorney investigated the facts and determined that the young man's fourth amendment rights were violated by the Los Angeles Sheriff that arrested him and searched his car. Mr. Ruff filed a PC1538.5 motion alleging an illegal car stop and arrest which led to the discovery confiscation of the drugs, the Court agreed and the entire case was thrown out in Court. The client has moved on and achieved greatness in his life.

Recently, Matt was hired to defend a woman charged with DUI, she blew a .17% on the breath machine. Mr. Ruff found a deficiency in the evidence and obtained a dismissal of the license suspension at the DMV hearing in El Segundo California.

California Criminal Law Update! Recently, the state legislature passed laws that will allow a Judge to order an ignition interlock device be installed in any vehicle owned by persons convicted of driving under the influence, even first time offenders. Attorney Matthew Ruff has vowed to defend, with passion, any effort to impose this requirement for his alleged drunk driving clients. With this being said, the recent criminal law does allow for an early reinstatement of a person's drivers license in cases that previously did not allow. For example, the new IID statutes permit a driver to get their license back in as soon as 90 days if they were convicted of a DUI with priors.

Our central California Kern County Bakersfield Attorney Office serving: Lamont , Tehachapi, Shafter, Taft, Mojave, Delano, Lake Isabella, California City, South Bakersfield, Ridgecrest and Eastern Kern County CA. For nearly two decades the attorney has been defending those charged with some of the most serious vehicle code violations and felonies in California, we can certainly assist you or someone you love with their criminal case.

The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.